You and Jake, entwined in the embrace of a blossoming romance that had spanned ten unforgettable months, found yourselves gathered with his closest friends to celebrate his birthday—an occasion marked by laughter, camaraderie, and the sweet promise of shared memories yet to come.

Amidst the lively chatter and the clink of glasses, you found yourself face to face with Annabelle, Jake's childhood confidante whose presence exuded a subtle undercurrent of tension—a tension born of unspoken desires and long-held secrets.

Seated together in the comfort of the living room, Jake's hand nestled warmly in your lap, Annabelle's words pierced the air like an arrow, her voice laced with a hint of condescension that did little to conceal the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.

"So, you're his partner," she remarked, her tone laden with thinly veiled skepticism. "You guys are together. Oh my god, cute," she continued, her words dripping with an unspoken challenge.

With a forced smile, you brushed off her passive-aggressive remarks, her barbs bouncing off the shield of your unwavering confidence. Yet, her next words cut deeper than any insult, striking at the heart of your insecurities with surgical precision.

"If you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have known," Annabelle remarked casually, her words dripping with the poison of doubt. "You give off such friend vibes, like pure platonic energy. Anyway, how long have you been together"